20 Questions

Sat, Jan 19th 2013, 11:12 AM

Artist and graphic designer Dionne Benjamin-Smith answers this week's 20 Questions from Guardian Arts & Culture.

1. What's been your most inspirational moment in the last five years?

I have had many - all surrounding God's relationship with me. Too overwhelming to really speak of in this forum.

2. What's your least favorite piece of artwork?

They're unfortunately hanging on the wall in my father's house.

3. What's your favorite period of art history?

There is so much beauty and truth to be found in all periods of art history but I think my favorites are a toss up between Impressionism and Contemporary Art. Impressionism gentles my soul and a lot of Contemporary Art stimulates my senses.

4. What are your top 5 movies of all time?

There are so many! But I guess the five that stand out to me the most would be: The Usual Suspects, The Sixth Sense, To Kill a Mockingbird, 300 and The Godfather series.

5. Coffee or tea?

Neither. Don't like hot drinks too much.

6. What book are you reading now?

The Bible.

7. What project are you working on now?

Working on multiple projects at once. All require confidentiality.

8. What's the last show that surprised you?

Transforming Spaces 2012.

9. Saxons, One Family, Valley Boys or Roots?

One Family.

10. If you had to be stranded on one Family Island which one would it be?

The Exumas.

11. What's the most memorable artwork you've ever seen?

Dale Chihuly's installation at Fairchild Tropical Gardens in Florida. So stunning it made me weep.

12. Which artist do you have a secret crush on?

Jolyon Smith; not so secret though!

13. If you could have lunch with anyone who would it be?

Jesus Christ.

14. Who do you think is the most important Bahamian in the country's history?

The most important Bahamian is the one who prays fervently and effectively for the good of this nation and her people.

15. Who is your favorite living artist?

There are so many! How could I possibly pick just one? Hmmmmm... I don't have a favorite, per se. There are just so many whose work moves me in different ways so that's quite impossible... So I will tell you a few who come to mind right away. Interestingly, all of them have one thing in common that excites me - their use of juxtaposition. I very much like the work of Dale Chihuly (for the innovation he brought to his medium and the color!), Kehinde Wiley (for his gorgeous figures and juxtapositions), Barbara Kruger (for her use of type, wit and  juxtaposition), Michael Ray Charles (for his boldness, his line and sense of history), Ai Weiwei (for his daring to challenge, his love of his people and his sense of justice), Glenn Ligon (for his exciting usage of type), Barry McGee (for his use of color, pattern, juxtaposition and illustration), Ernesto Neto (for his sumptuous juiciness), to name just a few...

16. Sunrise or Sunset?

Sunrise. It means I have been given another day of life.

17. What role does the artist have in society?

Artists are special creatures imbued with gifts, talents and abilities that the general populace do not possess. It is a great gift; it is nothing we earned or deserved. So we are to be responsible for what we produce and put out there. The work that an artist creates is to ultimately uplift and inspire the masses.

18. What's your most embarrassing moment?

My 20s was my most embarrassing moment. I thank God for saving me when I was 31.

19. What wouldn't you do without?

God's speaking.

20. What's your definition of beauty?

The creativity of God that is evident in all His creation. Not that which man has made using the wisdom God gave him, but that which man has no control over. Man cannot create anything in nature and that is where I find the most beauty. Reason being? Everything that God has manifested in this earth and in all the universes combined are perfect expressions of His essence - which is Love. Now that is beautiful!

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